Sewing unit for joining superimposed lengths of cloth

Abstract

A guiding apparatus in a sewing unit for seaming superimposed layers of cloth having intersecting seams defining areas of increased thickness. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced channel type guides within which the layers of cloth are guided during their advance to the stitch forming instrumentalities. The areas of increased thickness are disposed intermediate the two guides which are both movable to and from positions of close proximity with the stitch forming area. As the guide most remote from the machine's needle approaches the latter the guide adjacent the needle is timed to be withdrawn to an inoperative position permitting the approaching guide to assume the withdrawn guide's operating position thereby permitting the areas of increased thickness to be presented to the stitching instrumentalities without passing through the channels of either of the guides.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for guiding superimposed layers of cloth to be seamed having intersecting seams in a sewing unit of the type having a work surface with a sewing machine mounted thereon which includes a stitch forming needle and feed mechanism defining the sewing axis, said apparatus comprising: (a) a slidable guide (8) mounted on the work surface for movement perpendicular to the sewing axis to and from an operating position adjacent the needle;   (b) a companion guide (13) slidably mounted on the work surface for movement parallel with the sewing axis to and from an operating position adjacent the needle;   (c) gripping means (26) pivotably attached to said companion guide (13) for engaging the cloth therein and moving said guide (13) toward the needle;   (d) actuating means defining a pneumatic cylinder (10) operatively connected to said slidable guide (8) for moving the latter between operative and inoperative positions;   (e) switch means (39) connected to said actuating means and disposed for activation by said companion guide (13) to move said slidable guide (8) to its inoperative position and permit said guide (13) to continue movement into operating position adjacent the needle.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said companion guide (13) includes a pneumatic cylinder (27) for moving said gripping means (26) to and from engagement with the layers of cloth therein. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder (38) for locking and releasing said companion guide (13) from an operating position adjacent the needle. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes a switch member (32) operatively connected to said pneumatic cylinders (27) and (28) and disposed for activation by said companion guide (13) to effect simultaneous locking of said guide (13) in operating position adjacent the needle and release of the gripping means (26) from the layers of cloth.